diff --git a/nhrpd/nhrp_main.c b/nhrpd/nhrp_main.c
index 9fc13761c8..49a4900bf8 100644
--- a/nhrpd/nhrp_main.c
+++ b/nhrpd/nhrp_main.c
@@ -144,8 +144,13 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	nhrp_interface_init();
 	resolver_init(master);
 
-	/* Run with elevated capabilities, as for all netlink activity
-	 * we need privileges anyway. */
+	/*
+	 * Run with elevated capabilities, as for all netlink activity
+	 * we need privileges anyway.
+	 * The assert is for clang SA code where it does
+	 * not see the change function being set in lib
+	 */
+	assert(nhrpd_privs.change);
 	nhrpd_privs.change(ZPRIVS_RAISE);
 
 	netlink_init();